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The New Men in Black Doesn’t Have Will Smith, but Aladdin Does

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No, that’s not a mistake. We’ve been given a peek into two new movies this week, and I’m giving one of them a major side eye.

First we got a peek at Will Smith as the Genie, and honestly, I don’t hate it. It’s getting a fair bit of criticism, but I do really think this can be a good move. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Guy Ritchie explained how much of a challenge he faced when deciding who would play the Genie, because of Robin Williams’ iconic performance in the 1992 animated Disney film. He considered how Williams made the Genie so memorable by just injecting his own flair.

“The great thing about the role of the Genie is that it’s essentially a hyperbole for who that individual actor is, so it’s a wonderful platform and tapestry for an actor to fill his boots on,” Said Ritchie.

So when thinking of an actor who could overplay a version of himself, Will Smith seemed a natural choice. Smith himself said “I started to feel confident that I could deliver something that was an homage to Robin Williams but was musically different. Just the flavor of the character would be different enough and unique enough that it would be in a different lane, versus trying to compete.”

I like this. I like Will Smith (even when he’s in some real clunkers like Bright). I like that it’s a well thought out choice and if done well, Smith can really deliver something iconic in his own way. If he can stick with hyperbole and avoid caricature, I think it can really work.

Honestly, as long as it’s not Wild Wild West, I’ll probably be pleased.

Now in comes Men in Black International. This I am significantly less optimistic about. Watch the trailer here if you haven’t seen it already.

It’s definitely got some positive elements – Emma Thompson for one, looks incredible. Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson have good chemistry, as we saw in Thor: Ragnarok. Liam Neeson is always a treat. Some of the aliens are returning from the original series, and the new aliens look absolutely charming.

Image result for new men in black

My biggest concern is that for a movie spin off of a franchise made successful by Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, those two are conspicuously absent from the roster. I’m not saying it can’t work, I’m just saying I have my doubts.

Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of faith in Chris Hemsworth’s ability to improve on a reboot either, as made painfully obvious in the 2016 re-imagining of the Ghostbusters franchise.

I’m also wary of the CGI elements, because I’m seeing roughly 200% more flying vehicles than I’m comfortable with. Of course a movie about aliens will require some CGI, but the original film franchise leaned heavily on practical effects as well, which I’m just not seeing in this trailer. Overly fake looking movies typically have a short trip into the reject pile and for good reason.

It’s obvious that this is hoped to be the first of several new Men in Black Movies, so let’s hope that this spin off franchise stacks up to the original.

All in all, I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about movies with Will Smith in them than those without. This may not only be a direct testament to Smith himself, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.

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Kayla Milam is a Comedy and Nerd Freelance writer. Her specialties include playing video games, eating all her kid's Halloween candy, and killing house plants. She lives in California with her husband, 3-year-old son, dog, and pet praying mantis. Check out her blog at Goodlordthatsfunny.com.

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Ewan McGregor Has an Idea for Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 2 That Would Bring Yoda Back

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Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 1 [disney]

Ewan McGregor still isn’t ready to leave Obi-Wan Kenobi behind, and the Star Wars actor has already pitched an idea that could reunite the legendary Jedi Master with Yoda.

McGregor recently revealed that he has spoken with Lucasfilm co-president Dave Filoni about potential stories that could bring Obi-Wan back following the events of the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi. One idea would explore Obi-Wan attempting to reconnect with Yoda during the years between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.

“It was very casual, but I said there’s got to be something,” McGregor said of his conversation with Filoni. “Because Yoda’s somewhere else.”

Following the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Yoda went into exile on Dagobah while Obi-Wan eventually settled on Tatooine to watch over a young Luke Skywalker. McGregor believes the separation between the surviving Jedi could provide the foundation for another Obi-Wan story.

“So I think there could be a story there where I’m trying to reach out to him,” McGregor added.

Yoda [disney]

The idea could also serve as a natural continuation of Obi-Wan Kenobi. The 2022 series ended with Obi-Wan finally reconnecting with the Force ghost of his former master, Qui-Gon Jinn, played once again by Liam Neeson. A second season could potentially explore Obi-Wan’s continued spiritual growth while filling in more of the years leading to the character’s appearance in A New Hope.

McGregor has repeatedly expressed interest in returning to the role, noting that there remains a significant unexplored period between the Disney+ series and the older Obi-Wan portrayed by Alec Guinness. Earlier this month, however, McGregor acknowledged that there still hasn’t been meaningful movement on another season.

For now, Lucasfilm has not officially announced Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 2, meaning McGregor’s Yoda storyline remains only an idea. Still, with the actor continuing to push for another chapter and now discussing potential stories directly with Filoni, the door to another Obi-Wan adventure doesn’t appear completely closed.

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Johnny Depp Is in Talks to Return as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6

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Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean [disney]

Johnny Depp could finally be preparing to sail the high seas once again.

Longtime Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that Johnny Depp is currently in talks to return to the franchise, potentially bringing Captain Jack Sparrow back for the upcoming sixth installment.

While speaking with Deadline during D23, Bruckheimer offered one of the most promising updates yet regarding Depp’s involvement.

“We’re talking to Johnny. We’re working on a screenplay. Hopefully we can get this done,”

Bruckheimer said.

The comments are significant because previous updates largely centered on Bruckheimer’s desire to bring Depp back. In 2025, the producer revealed that he had spoken with Depp and believed the actor could return if he was happy with how Jack Sparrow was written. Now, those conversations appear to have progressed as development continues on the screenplay.

Pirates of the Caribbean [disney]

Depp first appeared as Captain Jack Sparrow in 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, a performance that quickly became one of the defining roles of his career. He returned for four additional movies, most recently starring in 2017’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Across its five theatrical installments, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has earned more than $4.5 billion worldwide.

Exactly what a sixth movie will look like remains unclear. Bruckheimer and Disney have spent years developing different approaches to continuing the franchise, including plans involving Margot Robbie and concepts featuring a combination of new and returning characters.

Most importantly, Depp has not officially signed on for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. Bruckheimer’s comments confirm that discussions are taking place, but a deal still needs to be reached and the screenplay remains in development.

Still, after years of uncertainty surrounding Captain Jack Sparrow’s future, this is arguably the strongest indication yet that Johnny Depp could actually return to the franchise.

Pirates of the Caribbean 6 does not currently have an announced release date.

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Jon Favreau’s ‘Oswald’ Miniseries Sets February 2027 Release on Disney+

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Oswald [disney]

One of Walt Disney’s oldest characters is officially making his return.

During D23, Jon Favreau unveiled the first footage from Oswald, the upcoming Disney+ series centered on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, while confirming that the project will premiere in February 2027.

The series will consist of three parts and blend live-action environments with traditional hand-drawn 2D animation. Favreau revealed that veteran 2D animators were brought in to help create the series, giving Oswald a style that honors the character’s animation roots.

The footage shown to those in attendance featured Oswald interacting with real-world environments, including Walt Disney’s office. The series will reportedly feature several historic locations that longtime Disney fans will recognize, with production having also taken place at Disneyland.

Favreau serves as writer and director on the project, which has been described as a passion project for the filmmaker. John Debney, whose previous Disney credits include Hocus Pocus, The Emperor’s New Groove and Favreau’s The Jungle Book, is composing the score.

The cast includes Steve Martin, Kathryn Hahn, Amy Sedaris, Al Madrigal, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Mykal-Michelle Harris and Ryder Allen.

Oswald holds an important place in Disney history. Created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1927, Oswald predates Mickey Mouse and became one of Disney’s earliest animated stars. Disney lost control of the character in 1928 before eventually reacquiring the rights decades later in 2006.

The upcoming Disney+ series will arrive almost exactly 100 years after Oswald made his debut, giving one of Disney’s most historically significant characters his biggest spotlight in decades.

Oswald will premiere on Disney+ in February 2027. An exact release date has not yet been announced.

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